Wichita eagle., 1887-08-13
A PRACTICAL SYSTEM.
THE EON MARCHES PLAN OF PRO-
FIT SHARING WITH EMPLOYEES.

L CO-OpefatlOn as lIdCttCcu Ii Il al ho oAS"S
Millinery and Dry Goods Paradise--A
Home for the Homeless-DivisiOn of
the Profits.
Few Americans leave Paris without visiting
the Magasin Bon Marche. IL they are not
themselves addicted to the pleasures of shop
ping tney are burdened with commissions
from friends at home, and it is more than
likely that they will snatch at least half
day from the attractions of galleries and
churches to devote to that great paradise OF
millinery and dry goods The Bon Marche
is one of the most distinguished Of the fifty
French firms which share their profits with
all who are employed in the business. Its
founder, N. Boucicant, made it his highest
aim to associate ia his financial success all the
work people who had united with him to OBJ
tain it, especially those whose capacities
were not adequate for the attainment Of
lucrative posts" Since his death in 1877 his
widow has developed with wisdom and gener-
osity all his plans.
All who are interested in such efforts, and a
great many who are prompted only by an
idle curiosity, join the party of visitors, who,
at o'clock each afternoon, are led through
the great buildings Of the Maison Boucicant
Following their courteous guide they enter
the packing department, a business in itself,
from which goods are dispatched to every
part of the civilized world; they examine the
heavy curtains and the Illuminating appar-
atus of the room, where, by electric Light,
shades and colors can be exactly harmonized,
and they visit the stables, shining with neat
ness, where scores of magnificent horses are
lodged like princes.
HOME FOR THE HOMELESS.
Far more distinctly interesting is the home
for the homeless girls among the employees,
which occupies part of the private buildings
of Nine. Boucicant Walking through the
large halls one catches glimpses of pleasant,
airy rooms, each with polished floor, cur
tanned window and pretty furniture. Every
room is arranged for one occupant, and bears
the impress of her personal tastes in photo
graphs, ornaments or flowers. An attractive
parlor is provided with piano, well filled
book cases and games. Here these young
women receive their friends and meet together
for social evenings.
Special consideration for working women
is indicated again by the arrangement Of the
dining rooms, which occupy almost an entire
floor OF the main building. In providing
lunch and dinner for its employees the Bon
Marche follows Partisan custom, more or
less general, in reference to which wages are
adjusted; but it can safely be said that no
other establishment provides such delicate
and nourishing food, while wages are, at
least, as high as in similar business houses
There are five dining rooms, large, sunny and
airy. One of these is set apart to the use of
the working girls, and is more tasteful III its
furnishing. They are all comfortable and
scrupulously neat and entirely free from any
odor of cooking The appointments of the
kitchen are on an immense scale; Gallons Of
soup are simmering in brightly polished
kettles on the enormous stoves, which daily
roast 1900 pounds of meat. Dozens of bas-
kets are already filled with bread, which an
ingenious little machine is slicing thin for
the potage. The refrigerators are well filled
provision stores in themselves. Lunch con-
sists of meat with vegetables, followed by
dessert with half liter of wine At dinner,
in addition to these courses, soup and salad
are offered. There is always choice of
meats; on the day of my visit the menu in
cluded roast beef and stewed hare
The Maison Boucicant makes provision to
satisfy mental cravings as well as physical
needs. A large room is set apart to the use of
the evening classes. Here, on different even
ings Of the week, are courses in bookkeep-
ing, the modern languages, orchestral music
and chorus singing. Concerts are given by
these music classes, with the assistance of
well known artists.
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE.
Close to the class room is the center of ex-
ecutive and legislative power, the Office whera
Nine Boucicant meets the heads Of depart
ments and superior employees whom she has
associated with herself in actual partnership.
Each one of them owns $4,000 share of the
capital No one has contributed more than
$40, 900, and in some instances a single share
belongs to several persons, though entered
under one name, SO that the benefits of part |
nership are extended to more than 100 These |
working partners in the meetings, at which
Nine. Boucicant presides, present their re-
ports and consult together for the advantage
Of the great business which they direct.
About 900 employees, all those who have |
served five years, belong to the provident
society, through which profit sharing is prac- |
ticed. The exact percentage of the profit |
allotted annually to this society is undeternin- |
ed and capable of variation from year to |
year At the end of the commercial year of |
1SS5-S6 about 50, 900 was paid into its treas |
ury. The share of each participant nearly |
to Sle amount of hi, wages. is |
not paid over annually, but capitalized to |
his account, and draws yearly interest at the |
rate of 4 per cent. Cash payment is made of |
the sum thus accumulated when the owners |
attain the Goth year of their age or the |
twentieth of their work for the house. In the |
case of women, the limits are so years of age |
or fifteen of work.
The Interpretation of these conditions is |
very generous. Illness and authorized absence !
Of three months are not considered as in |
terruption of work. In exceptional cases of |
long sickness or disabling accident, an I'M
mediate payment is often made, and when a |
participant dies the amount to his credit is |
given at once to the surviving relatives. A |
special rule provides that a woman who |
marTies and leaves the business shall re- |
ceive the whole amount due to her, however |
long she may have been employed.
The entire capital of the provident society |
amounts at present to more than 1000, 900 |
$500, 600 During the last year,
however, Mime. Boucicant, dissatisfied with |
the income which it yields to workmen who |
have grown old in service, has founded, By |
personal gift of about 81, 0OO, 0o0 society Of |
retreat, which provides for the same individu- |
ais, under equivalent conditions, but adds to |
the little capital thus secured an animal pen.
sion of from 500 to sS00.-Boston Herald.